2D Animation dead? I don't think so.

I'm writing this in response to reading Nik Ranieri's post regarding being let go from Disney Feature Animation after almost 25 years. This is after he created this beautiful performance:Over the years, there has been a lot of talk in the animation industry regarding the death of 2D animation. While many U.S. based feature animation studios have turned away from it, I don't see it dying. This is the same industry that is also throwing out 3D animation jobs or making them so miserable that one must choose between misery in employment or stressful unemployment. Yet I see a lot of the most innovative work in 2D or 3D being done well outside of these companies. Visual Effects aside, I really don't think the most creative and innovative work is being done at larger studios.Below are just a few examples of 2D animation that is excitingly inventive and fresh with innovation.

Good Books - Metamorphosis from Buck on Vimeo.

KAIROS Trailer from Studio La Cachette on Vimeo.

Cartoon Network - Summer Ident FULL from eamonn o neill on Vimeo.

So no, 2D is not dead. Unfortunately, that does not make it any less frightening or difficult for skilled artists who have devoted their lives to this craft to find work that can compensate them.